Assessing the Effectiveness of the 10 United Nations Global and Multilateral Climate Treaties

International Environmental Agreements (IEAs) have been implemented to address sustainability challenges and encourage international cooperation. The effectiveness of IEAs remains a topic of discussion, particularly in the context of addressing climate change. As CO2 emissions are influenced by a country’s economic activity and population size, the question of fairness arises when holding nations accountable for their contributions to climate change. The United Nations (UN) has played a significant role in shaping global treaties on climate change and facilitating multilateral negotiations across member nations. While UN-brokered IEAs offer a framework for cooperation and environmental regulation, debates persist regarding the allocation of responsibility and the effectiveness of implementation. This paper examines specific IEAs relating to global climate change and their achievements, limitations, and potential for improvement.